Modifications proceeded in batches according to Cairo's plan. First summoned were Maine, Dorio, and Morell.
Maine lay on the cold metal examination table. Metal chill seeped through thin surgical gowns into his back.
He watched overhead suspended mechanical tentacles and tools flickering with cold light—those precision pincers and rotating drill bits gleaming with frigid metallic luster under dim lighting. Even a hardened man like him couldn't help feeling his throat go dry.
Cairo's figure loomed over him. Crimson optical lenses carried zero emotional coloring—like examining a component.
"Your positioning is team pillar and firepower core." Cairo spoke while operating mechanical tentacles removing Maine's left arm's original heavy cyberware. Metal parts made dull collision sounds when removed. "Original firepower insufficient for handling unknown environmental threats."
New modification components were extracted. Their design completely differed from bionic cyberware Maine could normally access in Night City.
It appeared robust and powerful, structure precise, carrying slight ruggedness yet looking especially ingenious—like carefully-sculpted artworks.
Cairo focused on interfacing this system with Maine's neural and circulatory systems while explaining: "This will replace your left arm. Core is a master-crafted plasma cannon.
Not that cobbled-together cheap goods I gave you before—a genuinely complete weapon system sufficient for completely vaporizing any heavy armor units you've seen."
In fact, this was a plasma cannon Cairo personally hand-crafted reaching Warhammer world master-craft standards.
Though Cairo wasn't a Tech-Priest from Ryza Forge World, couldn't match those Ryza specialists in plasma weapon crafting prowess, he could still manufacture standard-model plasma weapons.
He carefully connected energy conduits to high-output energy cores newly implanted in Maine's chest cavity, calibrating targeting sensors.
Faint electrical currents sounded especially clear in silent workshops. Maine could feel unfamiliar energy pulsing within his chest cavity.
"Mind controlling firing rhythms. Cooling after overload requires time." Cairo supplemented, then mentioned modification forms. "I completely integrated it within a bionic arm—inspiration obtained here.
Following my past habits, I'd more directly mount cannon barrels externally on your shoulders."
Next, Cairo began processing Maine's right arm.
Another bionic arm—appearance indistinguishable from real arms—was extracted and installation began. Its surface covered with realistic skin. Even pores and veins lifelike. Only faint metallic luster showing through fingertips hinted at its essence.
"Your right arm will integrate a shield generator." He continued explaining. "Based on technology I control, small energy shields can already achieve high miniaturization and efficiency.
This generator when deployed suffices blocking 'artillery-grade' attacks as you understand them—providing protection equivalent to heavy vehicle levels."
In the Warhammer world, shield technology was extremely refined and advanced. Besides void shields only mountable on warships, large vehicles, Mechanicum Magi personally or large buildings, small energy shields in the Imperium could already achieve extreme precision.
Precise enough that even medals, necklaces could be shield generators—military-grade shield generators.
What Cairo prepared for Maine was precisely such a military-grade large shield generator. When deployed, even withstanding artillery fire—by Warhammer world standard small-caliber artillery—equivalent to vehicle-grade protection.
Cairo completed final neural connection calibrations, ensuring Maine could freely control through thought alone this pair of bionic limbs—appearance indistinguishable from real human arms yet internally containing destructive power.
Modification processes weren't entirely painless. Even using powerful anesthetics, muscles and nerves connecting with unfamiliar, powerful systems produced tearing and overload sensations—as if countless tiny electrical currents crawled along spines—still making Maine clench teeth tight. Cold sweat soaked his forehead.
But he didn't make a sound, only staring hard at ceilings, sensing power bit by bit reshaping within.
When modifications completed and Maine sat up from examination tables, he felt unprecedented fulfillment.
Left arm heavy yet full of power. He could clearly "sense" that plasma cannon's existence—as if extensions of his body.
Right arm's shield generator—though invisible—he knew was an energy shield deployable anytime.
He tentatively mobilized energy slightly. Left arm outer armor plates slightly opened, revealing beneath cannon muzzle emanating ghostly-blue glows. A weak heat wave hit his face. Air immediately filled with ozone's characteristic metallic scent.
He immediately stopped energy output. Cannon muzzle rapidly closed.
Just this brief attempt made him shocked at the destructive power contained within.
Simultaneously, in Dorio's zone, her modifications emphasized more optimization and enhancement.
Cairo further strengthened her muscle density and skeletal structures, improved neural conduction speeds—making her already-terrifying strength and reactions rise another tier.
Concurrently, he installed built-in impact-principle-based shock generators in her arms—making her heavy punches not only forceful but capable of producing ranged blunt-impact effects.
"Your mission is destroying all obstacles ahead, creating opportunities for Maine's heavy firepower." Cairo told her.
Dorio sensed power surging within—nearly overflowing. Muscle fibers seemed rewoven. She only silently nodded, swinging fists once. Generated wind sounds sharper than before. Air around fist edges even showed minute distortions.
Morell's modifications were even more refined.
Cairo optimized her Sandevistan system's energy utilization efficiency, reduced high-speed movement neural system loads—making her bursts more sustained, directional changes more uncanny.
Sonic blade resonance frequencies micro-adjusted. Destructive efficiency further enhanced.
Simultaneously, Cairo integrated more advanced environmental scanning and threat-marking functions into her sensory systems—making assassination and reconnaissance capabilities even more lethal.
"You are the team's eyes-ears and shadows, responsible for eliminating key targets and forward reconnaissance." Cairo told Morell.
Morell only slightly bowed, indicating understanding. Her gaze cold yet focused—like sharpened blade edges. Post-modification senses let her capture air's weakest airflow changes and heat residues.
When all three completed modifications, gathering at clearings outside workshops, each could sense atmospheres radiating from others far exceeding before.
Maine's heavy firepower, Dorio's absolute strength, Morell's ultimate speed—formed a solid iron triangle.
Maine flexed his new left arm, voice grave: "How's everyone feeling?"
Dorio clenched fists. Knuckles making crisp cracking sounds: "Good. Power's even stronger."
Morell only lightly nodded. Figure slightly shifted, leaving barely-detectable afterimages in place—as if she simultaneously existed in two positions.
Maine looked at his teammates, then lowered gaze at his own arms. Heart held more confidence toward upcoming missions, but that heavy sense toward unknowns didn't diminish.
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